Is Training Primary or Secondary?

I had an interesting discussion with a colleague a couple of days. We were discussing why training budgets are always the first to get slashed by companies in a downturn. Has learning ever been secondary for any of us? If the answer is No, then why should training be secondary?

It is surprising to see the number of companies who have cut down on their training budgets. Even more surprising, you would assume that companies would focus more on achieving good quality training on their limited budgets. What we have seen is just the reverse. Companies are opting to do a few mandatory days of training in a year through some outsourced trainers. Obviously if that’s the way training is delivered, then training does not achieve any results. Which then leads the company to conclude that ‘training does not work’. A vicious circle!

We have been asking our clients to experiment with alternative methods that provide innovative learning platforms for employees. It is a great time to experiment with social media for corporate training, use blended and self-paced training material and other innovative, inexpensive techniques to train employees. For example, for one of our clients, just putting up some posters at different locations helped drive learning. For another client, we defined a set of simple activities for the sales staff to implement on the job. This ensured high retention and application of concepts. The key is to ‘Be brave to try something different and innovative to achieve more out of our limited training budgets’.

Beating Recession (For Individuals)

Since we are officially in the greatest depression since the 1930s, I think this is an apt post. So what can you do if you have recently been laid off?
1. Relook at your career goals
a. Are you certain you are in the right industry? You may have been a banker all your life, but if you think your chances of landing a job in this area are limited, be open to new possibilities.
b. Do you possess the required skills to excel in your job? Enrol for an evening class, online classes and brush up on your skills.
c. Be realistic: If you have been a manager, a job may require you to start as an executive again. Times are tough and it’s not easy to get a new job, so go ahead and take it up and give it your best.
d. Network: Try to meet people from the same industry. Offer to work on projects for free, publish articles, give free seminars, establish good equity that will help you in future.

2. Cultivate a hobby
a. Have a hobby that will help ward off depression and keep you occupied. And please, watching TV does not qualify as a hobby.
b. Do gardening, take up a sport, learn to play an instrument, anything as long as it gets you out and keeps you moving.

3. Keep some money coming in
a. It can be very disheartening when you have been used to a paycheck from so long.
b. Take up a job, could be at a restaurant, library, bank, even the beach or a park if that interests you and keep some money coming in. You get to meet a lot of interesting people and life will be exciting too.
c. It will help appreciate people who live on much lesser than what you have been earning all along and will help put life into perspective.

4. Volunteer
a. Millions of hands are reaching out for help each day, so volunteer your time and energy.
b. You can volunteer to teach, support, guide, mentor, the possibilities are endless. So find out the available volunteering opportunities in your area and get started.

5. Attitude
a. In the end, just remember that life is short. Maximize every day and live it to the fullest. Capture different life experiences.
b. Do every task to the best of your abilities. Share your knowledge and skills at every given opportunity.
c. Remember, no one can make you happy, finally happiness is in your own hands, so go ahead and make the best of today and now.

Attention Trainers and HR Managers: Web 2.0 is here!

Firstly a very happy new year to all of you.

Let me share an exciting development at Kern. We are organizing a workshop on how to use Web 2.0 tools (such as wikis, blogs, podcasts, and virtual world) for learning and training purposes. This workshop is designed for HR Managers and training heads who implement training in their organization.

Overview of the workshop

• Understand Web 2.0 – the changing face of the Internet.
• Discuss training using sharing, collaboration, co-creation, user generated content, social networking
• Explore the use of tools such as wikis, blogs, virtual worlds, podcasts, videocasts, social networking to design effective training
• Discuss case studies where trainers have effectively used these tools for training purposes
• Experience learning and training in the Virtual World

To register for the workshop and know more details, you can contact Vaishnavi Shankar email: vaishnavi@kern-comm.com and office phone: 040-40171313.